Iknow where the bodies are buried; at least I should, because I put them there. Lately, though, I’ve been a bit forgetful, and fear I’ve misplaced hairy Harry. I’ll put it down to long nights of “historical research” intently studying the little green fairies at the bottom of an absinthe glass.
Revelers who’ve consumed too much claim hazy visions of phantasms and spritely spirits, shortly before passing out. This bad reputation caused absinthe to be banned in the United States from 1915 until 2007. Now that absinthe is legal again, the good stuff is pretty easy to find.
Harder to locate is the requisite absinthe spoon, a flat, slotted utensil that sits atop your glass, holding liquor-infused sugar cubes that are set alight. The proper drinking and presentation of absinthe is essential if you don’t want to be mistaken for a neophyte. Converted dinner forks make an endearing hostess gift that should be remembered long after the recipients have drifted off to a fuzzy green stupor, and a little prodding with this device may help to jog their memories of the evening when they come to, days later.
(Serves 1)
Fork
Hammer
Thin-gauge wire (see Note; see Sources)
Wire cutters
Glass tumbler or martini glass
1 sugar cube
2 shots absinthe
Match
4 shots distilled water
Ice (optional)
1. Lay the fork on a hard surface, such as a concrete floor, and hammer it flat.
2. Starting at the bottom of the fork, weave the wire over and under each tine, wrapping around the outer ends until the work reaches the tips. Snip the wire, leaving a 1-inch tail, and weave the tail back into the fork.
3. For extra embellishment, I include a band of wire around the neck of my fork. Lay one end of wire along the narrowest part of the fork, then wrap the bands over the loose end. When your band is at the desired length, tuck the finished end under the bands at the underside of the fork.
4. To serve: Set the absinthe spoon——or, in your case, fork——across the top of the glass and put one sugar cube on top. Pour two shots of absinthe onto the sugar, letting the excess seep into the glass.
5. Set the cube on fire and let the sugar foam and caramelize slightly. Drop the sugar into the absinthe and stir.
6. Add 4 shots of water and stir again. Your drink will take on a lovely opalescence. Serve straight up or add ice.
Colored wire can be found in many hues at craft stores.